What is the Story Behind Charleston Green? - Page 5
Our fair and Holy City of Charleston, South Carolina, is painted with dabs and dots of a single signature color, which is commonly referred to as Charleston Green. It's a color that could dress up the shabbiest Charleston single house, and aggrandize the smallest freedman's cottage.
A green so dark it appears black, it lends an air of subtle chameleon mystery to streets with light streaming through moss draped trees. The color changes as you move and elevates what might have been a simple flat black to a rich and dignified tone.
The History Behind Charleston Green
Charleston Green lends a formal sensibility, but the purported history is more rebellious. The origin of the color is contested, but the story goes that after the American Civil War, the Union sent buckets of plain black government-issued paint down to Charleston to gloss over what war had done to the city. But Charlestonians, less than impressed with boring black, added yellow and blue (or green, depending on the source) to make the deep forest green now named for the city where it originated.
How to Use Charleston Green on Your Home
If you're strolling Downtown Charleston on the brick, pavement, or cobblestone streets, you'll notice the hue applied to front doors, window shutters, Italianate trim and even balustrades. There's no right or wrong way to use Charleston Green, but do remember that direct sunlight will heat the dark color and could cause it to bubble, or even be hot to the touch—a danger those moss draped trees can alleviate, since the Charleston housing market is quite hot enough on its own.
This deepest-deep green hue can be used in a variety of different exterior color schemes. The most classic is off-white with Charleston Green shutters and doors. Green shutters can compliment a lighter green home, a yellow home, or even a pink one.
If you'd like to add a touch of black-tie class, but don't want to darken your overall palette, try painting just the front door, or brushing the window sashes with Charleston Green while the casing remains white. Some homes paint only their front steps in the color. Window boxes are a nice place to add a deep green to bring out the green leaves and flowers and provide a visual anchor to the shape of the windows. Think of them as the strong brows on the face of your home.
You can also pull the color inside by using it on an interior staircase or in a study. Give a high-style makeover to a small half bath with a stunning high gloss enamel finish or treat a mantle to a stroke of dark green.
While the color chip is readily available from Historic Charleston Foundation's collection at your nearest Sherwin-Williams, you could also mix your own using a local recipe:
DIY: Charleston Green Recipe
10 ounces black paint
4 ounces green paint
½ ounce yellow paint
Now that you know what to look for, the next time you're walking South of Broad , you'll more easily spot the difference between a true black hue and the trademark tint that we call Charleston Green.
Looking for something different? See below for current listings downtown Charleston!
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80 Society Street UNIT F
Charleston, SC 29401
Downtown
Residential
MLS# 24005206 / Active
Welcome to your urban oasis in downtown Charleston! This second-floor 1 bedroom condo offers a perfect blend of historic charm and modern luxury. W...
Reduced -$32,000
55 Concord Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 24005202 / Sold
It's all about the views! Enjoy panoramic views of Charleston harbor from your living room and bedroom! Situated right on Waterfront Park, this tow...
14 Lockwood Drive UNIT 6d
Charleston, SC 29401
Ashley House
Residential
MLS# 24005023 / Active
Beautiful Completed RENOVATED Condo With Dead-on VIEWS OF THE ASHLEY RIVER AND Marina. A GREAT FLOOR PLAN FOR SHARING AS EACH BEDROOM HAS IT'S OWN ...
192 Ashley Avenue UNIT C
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 24004880 / Active
Don't miss your opportunity to preview this charming 3rd floor condo. unit located in the Beauregard House circa 1840. Featuring a light-filled, op...
181 Queen Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 24004966 / Active
Step into a piece of Charleston history; the St. Amand/ Aimar house at 181 Queen Street was built in 1841, the same year the Charleston City Market...
97 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 24004738 / Sold
This perfectly placed pied-a-terre is one of the most charming historic homes South of Broad. An 1870 gem which includes many of the original finis...
1 King Street UNIT #104
Charleston, SC 29401
Fort Sumter House
Residential
MLS# 24004816 / Active
Welcome to 1 King St~ The Fort Sumter House~ which was formerly Charleston's First Waterfront Hotel. Step into Unit 104 and you will quickly discov...
63 Rutledge Avenue UNIT #23
Charleston, SC 29401
M Hill
Residential
MLS# 24004684 / Sold
Classic and beautiful historic building right on Colonial Lake! This charming one bedroom is a perfect pied-e-terre or for anyone to call home! Cha...
13 Short Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 24004586 / Active Contingent
Welcome to the epitome of charming living in historic downtown Charleston's Harleston Village. This exquisite home, ideally situated just one block...
Reduced -$20,000
26 Barre Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Village
Residential
MLS# 24004552 / Active
Welcome to 26 Barre Street! Located on the peninsula in Historic Downtown Charleston, within the highly sought-after Harleston Village, this gorgeo...
Reduced -$100,000
35 Society Street UNIT B
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 24004530 / Active Contingent
Experience the allure of Ansonborough with this exceptional one-bedroom, one-bathroom residence that offers the privacy of a home and the convenien...
Reduced -$10,000
78 Vanderhorst Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Radcliffeborough
Residential
MLS# 24004504 / Sold
MUST SELL NOW!! HIGHLY MOTIVATED SELLER SAYS BRING ALL OFFERS! ASK ABOUT UNBEATABLE FINANCING OPTION WITH RARE 6.00% RATE! If you're looking for So...
32 N Adgers Wharf
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 24004501 / Sold
Located South of Broad between Rainbow Row and Waterfront Park, this updated townhome sits on one of Charleston's most romantic cobblestone streets...
3 Chisolm Street UNIT #103
Charleston, SC 29401
South Of Broad
Residential
MLS# 24004498 / Active
Welcome to 3 Chisolm, a prestigious and captivating gem nestled in the heart of Charleston's sought-after South of Broad neighborhood. Steeped in h...
2 Wharfside Street UNIT 4-B
Charleston, SC 29401
Laurens Place
Residential
MLS# 24004433 / Active
Unit 4-B represents the best in luxury condominium living on the Peninsula. This home is truly turn-key, ready for its new owner. Laurens Place is ...
1 Harleston Place
Charleston, SC 29401
Harleston Place
Residential
MLS# 24004442 / Sold
Welcome to charming Harleston Place. Nestled in Harleston Village, this end unit townhome offers three stories of downtown living. Natural light ba...
309 Meeting Street UNIT #15
Charleston, SC 29401
Ansonborough
Residential
MLS# 24004439 / Active Contingent
PRIME LOCATION - Take a look at the map! This condo is at the core of downtown Charleston. Stroll to the farmers market at Marion Square every Satu...
Reduced -$15,000
14 Lockwood Drive UNIT 12 E
Charleston, SC 29401
Ashley House
Residential
MLS# 24004406 / Active
Great opportunity to own a luxurious Penthouse at Ashley House with breathtaking views of the Ashely and Cooper Rivers, Atlantic Ocean and downtown...
5 Gadsdenboro Street UNIT #415
Charleston, SC 29401
Residential
MLS# 24004278 / Active Contingent
The Gadsden offers luxury condos with incredible amenities and an amazing location.This two bedroom corner unit has breathtaking views of Gadsdenbo...
80 Society Street UNIT C
Charleston, SC 29401
Downtown
Residential
MLS# 24004284 / Active
Experience the epitome of Southern charm in this second-floor 1 bedroom condo, nestled within a historic antebellum mansion in downtown Charleston....
Reduced -$30,000
80 Society Street UNIT E
Charleston, SC 29401
Downtown
Residential
MLS# 24004285 / Active
Welcome to your charming retreat in the heart of downtown Charleston! This first-floor 1 bedroom condo offers the perfect blend of historic charm a...
Reduced -$29,000
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The broker providing these data believes them to be correct, but advises interested parties to confirm them before relying on them in a purchase decision.
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